Saving stamp vending machine



Nov. 29, 1960 K. c. ZEIGLE 2,952,148

SAVING STAMP VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 4, 1958 a 1 I 1 v (5/ W F/Ci3 (52 5 l l I x I (53 I 5 g REPEAT I l 1 654 i I g I i I I I I I l 1 I w i i a 5 i i H //Yl/E/V70P Ki/v/vfirfl C. 2516- E United States Patent SAVING STAMP VENDING MACHINE Kenneth C. Zeigle, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Electric Vendors, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Aug. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 752,996

3 Claims. (Cl. 194- This invention relates to a coin-operated vending machine and more particularly relates to a machine for vending one or more stamps in response to deposit of a coin.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved coin-operated vending machine of relatively simple construction and operation for dispensing one or more articles such as stamps in response to deposit of a coin.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel coin-operated vending machine for dispensing stamps and the like in response to deposit of a coin and which is constructed in such a manner as to cause dispensing of a full quantity of stamps in relation to the denomination of coin inserted into the machine.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an improved and novel vending machine which, in response to the deposit of a single coin, will dispense a plurality of articles such as stamps.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the physical construction of the vending machine;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for the machine; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the operational relationships between the various cam-operated switches.

One form of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is described herein.

The vending machine, which is indicated in general by numeral 10 has a coin-receiving slot 11 and a coin sorting and detecting machanism 12 of substantially conventional design which contains a plurality of actuating switches 13, 14 and 15 which are operated by quarters, dimes and nickels respectively after the mechanism 12 has determined the denomination of the coin and has channeled the coin for operating the preselected switch. The mechanism 12 also contains coin-return apparatus including a coin-return solenoid CR which, when deenergized, causes all coins inserted in the slot 11 to be returned at the coin return pocket 16 in the machine 10. The mechanism 12, of conventional design, also detects a bent coin and allows the same to be returned by operation of the push buttom 17.

The machine 10 also includes a pair of stamp dispensers 18 and 19 which may be constructed in accordance with the disclosure in my co pending application S.N. 447,766, filed August 4th, 1954 now Patent No. 2,878,014. The dispenser 18 comprises a primary stamp dispenser for normally delivering the stamps which may be saving stamps to be collected in a book for credit to a persons bank account when the book is presented to the bank after a number of stamps have been collected. The dispenser 18 includes an operating solenoid S18 which causes dispensing of one 2,962,148; Patented Nov. 29,.196Q

stamp through the slot 20 each time the solenoid S18. is operated. The dispenser 18 also includes a stamp runout switch ROS1-8 which is normally open and which detects the dispensing of the last stamp from the dispenser 18.

The dispenser 19 is regarded as a reserve dispenser not normally in operation but immediately operable when the supply stamps from the dispenser 18 is exhausted, even during the middle of an operational cycle of dispensing more than one stamp. The dispenser 19 also includes a operating solenoid S19 for causing the delivery of a single stamp each time the solenoid is operated through the slot 21. Dispenser 19 also includes a normally closed runout switch R0819 which is operated by the dispensing of the last stamp container by the dispenser 19. Discharging resisters R18 and R19 may be connected in shunt relation with the solenoids S18 and S19 respectively.

The normal dispensing of stamps is controlled by the five cent, ten cent, and twenty-five cent relays K1, K2 and K3 and when a cam switch CS1 which is operated in response to rotation of a rotary cam C1 driven by motor M. Each of the relays K1, K2, and K3 are respectively controlled by cam switches CS2, CS3, and CS4 respectively, which, are operated in response to rotation of the cams C2, C3 and C4. The driving of the motor M is controlled by any one of the relays K1, K2 or K3, and the stopping of the motor M is controlled by operation of cam switch CS5 which is operated inresponse to rotation of the motor-driven cam C5. A light L is provided to indicate to the person in charge of the machine that the supply of stamps in the primary dispenser 18 is exhausted so that the supply of stamps therein may be replenished.

The cams C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 are all driven directly by the shaft of motor M and are rotated in the direction of arrow A and are all shown in Fig. 2 in their stationary or normally stopped positions. It will be seen that cam C1 is provided with five lobes for successively operating cam switch CS1 five times within the first three hundred degrees rotation of the cam C1. Cam switch CS1 causes pulsing of one or the other of solenoids S18 or S19 and causes dispensing of stamps so long as the circuit to the solenoids S18 and S19 is closed.

Cam C2, which functionally controls deenergization of relay K1 has a single lobe thereon spaced approximately sixty degrees from the starting point of the cam so that relay K1 is deenergized after cam switch CS1 has produced one pulse into one of the dispenser solenoids.

Cam C3, which functionally controls the deenergization of relay K2 has a single lobe thereon Which is arcuately spaced approximately one hundred twenty degrees from the starting point of the cam so as to cause deenergization of relay K2 after cam switch CS1 has pulsed twice.

Cam C4, which functionally controls the deenergization of relay K3, has a single lobe thereon arcuately spaced approximately three hundred degrees from the starting point of the cam for deenergizing relay K3 after the cam switch CS1 has pulsed five times to cause the dispensing of five stamps.

Cam C5 has a single lobe thereon and functionally produces deenergization of the motor at the starting point thereof after the motor has made one complete revolution. 7

The circuit shown in Fig. '2 is provided with a source of power such as volts A.C. at the terminals T 1 and T2, which are connected to buses B1 and B2. The fivecent relay K1 is normally connected to bus B2 through contact CS2 and relay K1 is connectible to bus B1 through coin switch 15 and switches 14 and 13 and fused at 1. Relay K2 is normally connected to bus B2 through cam switch CS3 and is connectible to bus B1 throughrcoin switch 14 and switch 13 and fuse F1. The twenty-five 3 cent relay K3 is normally connected to bus B2 through cam switch CS4 and is connectible to bus B1 through coin switch 13 and fuse 1.

Becausethe switches 13, 14 and 15 ,areonly momentarily operated by passage of a coin, the relays ,K1, K2 and K3 are provided with holding circuits forconnecting the relays to bus Bl. The holding circuit forrelay-Kl is through the contacts Kla when shifted, and, contactsKZa and K312. The holding circuit for relay K2 isthrough contact K2a when shifted and through contact K3a. The holding circuit for relay K3 is through contact K3a.

The coin return solenoid CR is normally connected to bus B2 through contact CS and runoutswitch R0819, and the solenoid GR is normally,couuectedtojus B1 through contacts Kla, K211, and K3a andnfus'e F1.

Motor M is connected normally to busBl through fuse F1 and is connectible to bus B2 throughany one of contacts Klb, K2b or K3b, or on the alternative, is connectible to busB2 through cam switch CS5 when permitted to return to normal and runout switch ROS19.

Relay K4, which functionally controls the changeover from dispenser 18 to dispenser 19 when dispenser 18 has exhausted its supply of stamps, is connectible to bus B2 through, runout switch R0818 when operated, and is normally. connected to bus B1 through cam switch CS1, and on the alternative is connectible to bus B1 through contact K4a.

Dispenser solenoids S18 and S19 are both connected directly to bus B2 and may be alternately energized to contact K4b, depending upon the position of K4b which is operated by relay K4. The contact K4b is connectible to bus Blthrough any one of contacts K10, K20 or K3c and throughthe cam switch CS1 when operated by one of the lobes on the cam C1. Counter 22 is connected in shunt with both of the solenoids S18 and S19 to be operated each time either one of these solenoids is energized.

A stamp heater H is continuously energized and is connected directly to both buses B1 and B2.

Inoperation, the purchaser of the stamps has the option to buy one or more five cent savings stamps by inserting a coin of a particular denomination. Assuming that the purchaser chooses to purchase two stamps, he will insert a dime into the slot 11 which causes momentary operation of switch 14 which causes energization of relay K2. Operation of contact K2a closes theholding circuit for relay: K2, and after contact K2a is operated, switch 14 will reopen. Contact K2c closes to connect the dispenser solenoid S18 directly to the cam switch CS1, to prepare for pulsing of the solenoid and for dispensing of stamps. Contact K2b closes to connect the motor M to bus B2 and thereby causes the energization of motor M and the motor will start causing simultaneous revolution of all of the cams C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5.

When cam switch CS5 is allowed to return to normal position, a shunt circuit is provided around contact K2b to cause the motor to continue to be energized to run until cam C5 makes a complete revolution. Shifting of contact CS5 also causesdeenergization of coil return solenoid CR which causes any subsequent coins inserted into the slot 11 during the operation of a stamp dispensmg cycle, to be returned through the slot 16.

As the motor continues to operate, the lobes on cam C1 operate cam switch CS1. When cam switch CS1 is first operated a pulse of current is supplied through contact K2c and contact K412 to the dispenser solenoid S18 causmg operation thereof and dispensing of a stamp. As the first lobe on cam C1 passes by the cam switch CS1, the cam switch CS1 is returned to normal position and solenoid S18 is deenergized. The second lobe of cam C1 will also operate cam switch CS1 to cause a second pulse of current to be supplied to solenoid S18 for dispensing of another stamp. After the second lobe of cam C1 has passed by the cam switch CS1. the lobe on cam C3 will 4 open cam switch CS3 and cause deenergization of relay K2. The contact K20 reopens and prevents any further pulsing of the dispenser solenoid S18. Contact K2b also reopens but the motor M remains energized through cam switch CS5. Contact K2a shifts to its normal position and breaks the holding circuit for relay K2.

As the motor continues to run, the cam 01 will continue to operate cam switch CS1, but with no effect. Cams C2 and C4 will have operated their respective cam switches CS2 and CS4 during the rotation of the cams but with no efiect because the relays K1 and K3 had not been energized.

When the cams have substantially completed their revolution, the lobe on cam C5 operates cam switch CS5 which opens the circuit between motor M and bus B2 and therefore the motor will stop. The lobe on cam C5 is positioned so as to hold the cam switch CS5 in open position as themotorassumesits stopped position. Operation of carnswitchCSS 'alsofcauses, the coin return solenoidl CR.to. be connected again to the bus B2 and therefore is energized to permit the machine to accept additional coins inserted through the slot ll.

It should bepointed out that the operation of the mechanism is essentiallythe same if a nickel is inserted into the slotll instead of a dime. Under these conditions, only one pulse of current is supplied through cam switch. CS1 to the dispenser solenoid $18, after which the relay K1 is deenergized by the cam switch CS2 and contact Klc is ,opened to prevent any further pulsing of the dispenser solenoid.

Assuming now that the dispenser 13 has .only three stamps remaining therein and the purchaser. of stamps desires to obtain five stamps and. inserts a quarter into the slot-11. The quarter will be inserted into the, slot 11 causing operation of switch 13 which energizes relay K3 causing the contacts K311 to provide a. holding circuit for relay K3, and causing the contacts K30 to close to prepare for pulsing of the dispenser solenoid S18, and:

also causing the contact K3b to close to energize the motor M. As the motor revolves, the cam C1 revolves to cause successive operation of cam switch CS1 which results in application of pulses of current to dispenser solenoid S18 for dispensing of the three stamps remaining.

After the three remaining stamps in dispenser, 18 have been dispensed the runout switch R0318 operates and is closed and causes energization of relay K4 after the third lobe on cam C1 has. passed by cam switch CS1 to allow the cam switch CS1 to return to .its normal position. Contact K4a is closed to provide. a holding cir cuit for relay K4, and contact K40 is closed to illuminate the light L. Contact K4b is shifted between the time that the third lobe on cam C1 has passed by the cam switch and before the fourth lobe thereon operates the cam switch. When the fourth lobe on the cam C1 operates the cam switch CS1, a pulse of current is applied through contactK3c and K4b to dispenser solenoid S19 so asto cause the dispenser 19 to dispense a stamp inimmediate succession to the dispensing of the third stamp from the dispenser 18 and without hesitation. The fifth stamp is dispensed in a similar manner from the dispenserS19 and when the fifth stamp is dispensed, the lobe on cam C4 operates cam switch CS4 to deenergizc relay K3, causing the contacts thereof to open, to break the holding circuit to permit the cam. switch CS5 to assume exclusive control ofmotor M and to disconnect the dispenser solenoid S19 from the cam switch CS1.

As. the revolution of the cams is completed to break the holding circuit to permit cam switch CS5 to assume exclusive control of .the motor M and to open the circuit between cam switch CS1 and the dispenser solenoid S19.

As the lobe on cam C5 causes operation of cam switch CS5, the motor M is deenergized, and the coin return solenoid CR is energized to permit acceptance by the dispenser of additional coins through the slot 11. It

should be pointed out that the cams each stop at a sub stantially predetermined position each time the apparatus goes through its operating cycle.

It should be pointed out that after the dispenser 18 has exhausted its supply of stamps, the relay K4 remains energized until the supply of stamps in dispenser 18 is replenished and the runout switch R0818 is shifted back to open condition, at which time the relay K4 is deenergized and the dispensing of stamps will normally be from dispenser 18.

It should be pointed out that if both the dispensers 18 and 19 in the machine exhaust their supply of stamps, the runout switch R0819 will also be open so as to deenergize the coin return relay CR and prevent the machine from accepting any further coins through the slot 11 for operating or starting the operation of a dispensing cycle. The coins will be merely returned through the slot 16.

It will be seen that I have provided a new and improved dispensing machine for vending a plurality of stamps or the like in response to insertion of a coin in the machine and for assuring that the purchaser of the stamps obtains full value for the money inserted into the machine, regardless of whether the supply of stamps is exhausted in the middle of an operational cycle or not.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A coin-operated article vending machine, comprising a pair of article dispensers each containing a supply of articles, one of said dispensers being the primary dispenser and the other of the dispensers being a reserve dispenser, each of said dispensers having an operating solenoid connected for dispensing an article each time the solenoid is energized, a pulsing switch for supplying current pulses for operating the solenoid, a selector switch normally connecting the pulsing switch to the primary dispenser and being shiftable to connect the pulsing switch to the reserve dispenser solenoid, means operating said selector switch in response to exhausting the supply of articles in the primary dispenser, means connected with said pulsing switch to prevent shifting of the selector switch while a pulse of current is being supplied to the solenoid of the primary dispenser, a coin-receiving mechanism, and means connecting the mechanism with the pulsing switch and applying a predetermined number of current pulses for the solenoid in relation to the denomination of coin received.

2. A coin-operated article vending machine, comprising a pair of article dispensers each containing a supply of articles, one of said dispensers being a primary dispenser and the other of said dispensers being a reserve dispenser, each of said dispensers having an operating solenoid connected for dispensing an article each time the solenoid is energized, a pulsing switch having a normal position and having a shifted position wherein a pulse of current is supplied for operating the solenoids, a cam operating said pulsing switch between normal and shifted positions, a selector switch normally connecting the pulsing switch to the primary dispenser solenoid and being shiftable to connect the pulsing switch to the reserve dispenser solenoid, a coin-receiving mechanism and including means detecting the denomination of coin received and preventing energization of said solenoids more than a number of times which is proportional to the denomination of the coin detected, means responsive to the coinreceiving mechanism and driving the cam to move the pulsing switch to shifted position a predetermined number of times each time a coin is received, a relay operating the selector switch and being connected to said pulsing switch to be energized when the pulsing switch is in normal position, and additional means responsive to exhausting of the supply of articles in the primary dispenser for energizing the relay, whereby to cause successive dispensing of articles at a uniform rate from said dispensers, regardless of exhausting of the supply of articles in the primary dispenser.

3. A coin-operated article vending machine, comprising a pair of article dispensers each containing a supply of articles, one of said dispensers being the primary dispenser and the other of the dispensers being a reserve dispenser, each of said dispensers having a current pulse operated mechanism connected for dispensing an article each time a current pulse is received, said primary dispenser having means detecting the exhaustion of the supply of articles therein, a controllable current transmitting means for supplying current pulses to said mechanism, a selector device normally connecting said current transmitting means with the pulse-operated mechanism of the primary dispenser, and said selector device being operable to connect the current transmitting means with the pulse-operated mechanism of the reserve dispenser, selector device operating means connected to the primary dispenser and to the controllable current transmitting means and operating in response to the simultaneous existence of the conditions of exhausted supply of articles in the primary dispenser and the absence of dispenser operating current flow through said controllable current transmitting means, a coin-receiving mechanism, and means connecting said coin-receiving mechanism with the controllable current transmitting means and causing periodic operation thereof to produce a number of current pulses in relation to the denomination of the coin received for causing operation of the dispenser.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,604,804 Butter-field Oct. 26, 1926 2,323,255 Sutherland June 29, 1943 2,325,536 Osborne July 27, 1943 2,659,471 Johnston Nov. 17, 1953 2,669,335 May Feb. 16, 1954 2,802,474 Du Grenier Aug. 13, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 756,264 France Dec. 7, 1933 

